Denver Was The Big Winner, NY Is Going Sideways

Let's start by asking ourselves how many championships Denver won during the Carmelo Anthony reign? What makes anyone think he will bring a championship to NY? Let's face it, Anthony is an elite offensive talent, but he wasn't worth the price paid by New York.

Next, the Knicks were developing excellent team chemistry with their core of young players who were all improving and playing well together. Now four of those promising young players are Nuggets, along with a bevy of draft choices.

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would think the Knicks did well when it was in fact the Nuggets who were the big winners. I suspect that idiot owner Dolan forced the trade upon Walsh who was reluctant to give up so many young players and destroy that excellent team chemistry in New York.

How many wins did the Nuggets have before Carmelo came? How many times did they make the playoffs with him? o okay....I posted this in another thread what did the knicks really give up?? A average pg, a sf who is good at alot but great at nothing, a sf who could be good not great, and a big stiff wow! Id take a clutch pg, and a all star, face of franchise, clutch SF all day everyday

Avg point guard raymond was getting all-star nods this year but there wasnt enough spots and Wilson has been pretty good actually besides raymond and STAT showed up every nite i think that they could of did that deal without giving up wilson or Gallo they have NO size at all and if the knicks are still trying to get off corey then whos really coming off the sidelines with good mins

How many Amare Stoudemire's did he play with? This is ridiculous. Carmelo is a top 10 player in the league that nearly took his team to the finals only 2 years ago. Gallo is a solid player, could be a 20ppg scorer for a few seasons(maybe even an all star). Chandler is a energy role player. He is solid at many things but he will never affect a game the way Melo does. They got Billups for Felton and like it was said before, nobody wanted Felton 8 months ago and many thought he was overpaid. And Mozgov? He wouldn't play on the Heat and they have bad big men. The 1st round pick will be in the 20's so no big deal.

I mean its a ridiculous argument that Melo hasn't won any championships. The Knicks were nowhere close to a ring with those players but now I can see them winning in round one depending on who they play. I mean as long as NY keeps games close, they have 2 guys that can't be guarded 1 on 1 and on top of that it is an inside and outside threat. There is no team in the league with a combo as lethal offensively as NY.

Let me start by affirming that Anthony is an elite offensive player. However, the ball stops when it gets to him and his defense is atrocious.

Next, Chauncey Billups is one of my favorite players and if he were 4 or 5 years younger, I might have a slightly different opinion on the trade. Unfortunately Chauncey is getting old and he may not be the same player for much longer.

Draft Choices, I saw no mention of draft choices in your response.

As for the players you analyzed individually, you missed my point. All four of them contributed to and was part of an excellent team chemistry in NY and that's what the Knicks lost in that trade. Nobody knows how it will turn out but I suspect New York will not have that kind of positive team chemistry.

As for the players you mentioned:

Galinarri: He's only 22 years old and I think he will become one of the best small forwards in the NBA in the near future. He is already a far superior player to Peja.

Felton: Maybe nobody wanted him 7 months ago but he proved in NY that he is a first rate PG. He's not an elite player but a very good one.

Mozgov: Here's a young guy with lots of talent who's still learning English, the American culture, and the game of basketball. I think he will become an excellent back up center and possibly a starter. Talented big men are hard to find.

Chandler: I never liked his game so I agree that he wasn't much of a loss.

Lebron was the exception with a weak supporting cast he got them to the Conf. Finals and Finals.

Amare should've won a title in 2007 with the Suns, you can thank Robert Horry and that stupid NBA rule for hurting them.

KG lost in the 1st round what 7 years.

Tmac even when he was healthy never made it out the 1st round.

Ray Allen and Pierce never made the Finals until the big 3 came together.

Mello lost in the 1st round to the Spurs twice and Lakers once. Only one year they had a legit shot and thanks to Kmarts foolish fouls and Game 1 and there folly in inbounding the ball twice they lost the series. The Nuggets had plenty of talent and could've beaten the Lakers if not for there stupid mistakes down the stretch of games.

Also Shaq won 0 titles till Kobe became a star and doesn't get his 4th without Wade carrying the team.

Even when Penny was a star and Shaq was dominating at an early age he got swept in the Finals and Conf. Finals. For the most dominating big man and some would say a top 5 Center all time he has been swept in every round of the playoffs. I doubt Russell, Kareem, Olajuwon, Robinson and other top Centers have been swept in the playoffs more than once and none of them playing with a scoring guard like Kobe.

Depends on what Denver does with all these players and in free agency.

Obviously they won't keep everyone.

If Mozgov turns into a decent player and they keep Gallo and Nene with Felton and add a SG like Crawford they could be a very dangerous team. The team is young and should improve, they played Dolan and got everyone they asked for except Fields.

trinajoe keeps saying this is a no brainer and I couldn't disagree more with him. Carmelo Anthony is an elite offensive talent, a decent rebounder, but a poor defender. Chauncey Billups is an elite PG who is reaching that age where he may not be able to compete against those younger, athletic PGs much longer.

On the flip side, the Knicks had tremendous team chemistry and all four of those young guys contributed in one way or another to that chemistry. They were better as a group than if one simply analyzes their individual talents. I strongly suspect that subtracting them and adding Carmelo Anthony will negatively impact team chemistry in New York.

As I mentioned earlier, Gallanari's only 22 and his game has blossomed on both ends of the court in his 2nd year in the league. His defense has improved significantly. And on offense, he diversified his game big time by driving to the hoop using both his strong and weak hand. His rebounding's also improved this year.

As for Mozgov, he's a young guy with lots of physical talent who's still learning English, the American culture, and the game of basketball. I think he will definitely become at the very least, an excellent back up center and probably a starter. Talented big men are hard to find.

We may disagree but this certainly isn't a no brainer, especially when you throw in the draft choices.

Regardless of Melo's flaws (he's an OK on ball defender, but terrible off of the ball and can be a little selfish offensively), but how often do you get to acquire a player like him? He's a top ten player in the NBA on most people's lists.

He's *arguably* the best offensive player in the league and has a complete game offensively. He's also one of the best closers in the league, giving New York two players they can go to down the stretch of games.

The players New York gave up are solid and have some decent potential, but are replaceable. You can find more of them. But how often do you find a Melo?

Nobody in their right mind is denying Anthony's offensive talents, however, I would argue that Kobe, LeBron, and DWade are just as good as him offensively.

Indiana, you know very well that basketball is a team game. And if you strip your core talent and excellent team chemistry to get an elite player who might disrupt that very same chemistry, you lost something you may not recapture. Let's face it Indiana, do you want Ronny Turiaf as your starting center?

One thing I agree with and it was the earlier arguments that great players cannot win a championship without other very talented players on their roster. Well that's my argument, Walsh stripped the team of it's core talent to get Anthony.

Who knows? Maybe you and the others will turn out to be correct but that would be a surprise for me.

I haven't seen anyone argue against the fact that you need 2 star to win and these days in the NBA seems like you need 3.

As for your response to Knicksboy1 it makes sense.

You have to realize who made the trade it clearly was Dolan, if Walsh was running thing he's probably make the Nuggets wait and call their bluff.

Despite Anthony's shortcomings he's still a top SF and a top player in the league and please don't say Danny Granger is better them Mello.

With Lebron, Durant, Pierce locked up who else were they able to get.

Walsh already said at the beginning of the season he regretted trading his pick to Houston in the Tmac deal.

That means the Knicks weren't going to wait to try and win.

I do agree he tends to go 1 on 1 and not pass the ball enough but his defense isn't atrocious.

I know some Nuggets fans that watch him play every game and they admit he isn't a defensive star but he does play decent defense esp. 1 on 1. Maybe playing with a star PF who can actually make a jump shot will make him change his game. Actually most of the Knicks player are good jump shooters Billups, Douglas, Fields, Mello, Amare, Shawne Williams, Bill Walker.

I agree with you on Billups he's a winner but his age will hurt as he'll be old by the time the Knicks are elite. Felton proved that a PG can thrive in D'antoni's system. I would let Billups walk and go after a legit Center in the offseason. Doesn't matter who but Gasol, Deandre Jordan, Tyson Chandler are all available and Dalembert though not that good is still a shot blocker.

As for draft picks this is where the Knicks and Dolan hurt themselve even more not with the 1st rounder which is in 2014 but those 2nd round picks do. Walsh or whoever will be the GM could've used the 2nd rounders to obtain a quality player. Yeah them landing another Fields isn't likely but you'd still rather have the picks.

All 4 of the players contributed to the teams chemistry but did you really think they wouldn't be moved in a trade for Mello. Knicks won't have that team chemistry well Douglas, Amare, Fields, Walker, Shawne Williams, Turiaf were already here and they except Walker have gotten a lot of playing time. Billups has played in plenty of of different systesm so I'm sure he'll adapt. I suspect New York will not have that kind of positive team chemistry thats a gamble. The old Knicks roster wouldn't win any playoff rounds this team might.

The players you mentioned.

Gallo in his 3rd year he's improved some but he isn't an All-Star. As for being 1 of the best SF's in this league. Where would you rank him he's not as good as Lebron, Durant, Mello, Pierce, Granger, Iguodala, Maggette, Deng, Gerald Wallace, Beasley, Gay, Richard Jefferson. You can argue maybe 1 or 2 of those players but most are better than Gallo. I haven't mentioned Batum or Caron Butler yet. We have to include defense, rebounding everything not just based on his shooting don't forget Gallo is a weak rebounder. I think everyone gets caught up in Gallo being the next Dirk. That isn't likely but the main reason I would've liked to keep him is he has some trade value but its doubtful this trade would've ever happened without him.

Wilson Chandler he wasn't going to be resigned in the offseason, main reason I would've like to keep him is he can play multiple position. Also he can get to the rim but his shot isn't consistent and he's not going to stop any top PF's in the league. Seems like some ppl got caught up with Chandler for Mayo rumors that never really got going. Not sure why the Grizz want to move Mayo anyway but they have a lot of problems as an organization.

Felton I would've like to keep he doesn't have the playoff experience like Billups but he was playing very well. Also he's young enough he can keep improving and there is obviously no guarantee that the Knicks land Deron Williams or Chris Paul in 2012.

Mozgov I thought the Knicks wouldn't trade him when the reports came out that the Nuggets insisted he be in the deal. He's a young player and though he was awful to start the season he showed somem signs of improvement. He also had a cap friendly contract only guaranteed for next year so there wasn't much risk. He could block some shots and run the floor. I agree with you talented big men are hard to find.

I would like to have kept Felton and Mozgov, can live w/out Gallo with Mello here he'd just be a spark off the bench but not much else.

yeah u guys think 4 players from a average team in the east is ganna make a team in the west dangerouse. no way. i know the west got weaker with utah falling of but i think portland got a lot stronger with the addition of gerald wallace. okc is not a legit contender. we all know dall spurs and lakers will contend. and new orleans is still the better team. denver is on a a high right now because they wanna prove they can win wihout melo. but in cuople of games they either fallout the 8th spot or stay there then get knocked out the first round. on the knicks end this was a GREAT trade. you upgrade at the 1. billups will only be here for the rest of this season asnd next year. ray was going to stay just as long. we have a huge upragde at the 3 spot. and chandler wasnt going to resign with us next year anyways, if we didnt trade for melo. in a few games knicks will click. there offense will be unstobable. there getting jeffries and baron so thiere rebounding will get better and they just need to be ok on defense and get few stops. i think knicks can do tht and make a strong push in the playoffs.

Melo and Amare are not the ideal combination but why is the trade even really questioned???? Do people realize the Knicks aren't a finished product? This is only step two in the three step process, step three is to either try to get a third superstar(not likely) or get a couple of good players (defensive center number one on the list) then go from there. I'm not convinced they can win a title but they can at least get to the eastern conference final in a couple years ( Boston will drop ,i just don't see Orlando being consistent, and I've never had faith in Atlanta

Why are so many trying to prove Carmelo Anthony is a great player? I haven't seen one post where anybody's denied it? That's a given, the issue up for debate is do you strip your team of your young, core talent to get Anthony. I disagree with those who say it was a smart idea, that's all. This isn't a knock on Anthony so please stop debating as if that was an issue.

As for Mozgov, you don't find many 7 footers who can run the court and jump like him. On the negative side, he barely understands English or the game of basketball, he has limited offensive skills, but he has raw talent and potential. Will he become an all star? No, but he can become an excellent backup and possibly a decent starter. There were good reasons why Walsh was so relucant to give up Mozgov, physically talented 7 footers are hard to find.

Raymond Felton was having a borderline all star season and was a quantum leap over what NY had before at PG. I love Chauncey but age is catching up with him.

As for Gallanari, I didn't say he is one of the best SFs in the game, I said he might become one in the future. Come on, the guy's only 22 years old and this is only his 2nd year, not his 3rd in the league. He was injured his first season. I've seen most of his games and on a team like Orlando, he would be incredible. The young man gets better every time I see him.

Giving up Wilson Chandler wasn't much of a loss.

And somebody said the Knicks aren't a finished product. Well how are they going to get there without draft choices?

I would strip my team for Anthony because all of those guys are replaceable. Anthony is somebody you get when available. Yes, they aren't very deep this year, but D'Antoni is known for having short rotations anyway. Plus, the point of this trade isn't for this year. The Knicks needed to make this move. Does it guarantee a championship? No, but this certainly gives them a shot, IMO. Whereas I feel they were a playoff team that loses in the first round before the trade. The Knicks now have a shot at a title because of this trade.

I agree Melo and Amare isn't ideal on defense and that Chandler, Felton, and Gallo were good players. It would have been great if NY could have kept those guys. It is just a no brainer to bring in a talent like Melo for mediocre players.

I watched most of New York's game this year, and although their win loss record wasn't outstanding, you could see the team grow and get better every week. Most important of all for me was the kind of chemistry that you could see and feel. Team chemistry is very hard to develop and I don't like it when it's there and you give it away.

This was something totally lacking in New York the past few seasons, NY fans could see how this team was coming together, growing and getting better. Now that's lost forever.

I understand that individually the players NY gave up don't equal one Carmelo Anthony, but the manner in which they were growing together and getting better every week was impressive. I strongly suspect that the addition of Carmelo Anthony, along with the subtraction of those four young players, will seriously disrupt that level of chemistry.

And the best part was the fact that those players were very young and they would continue to grow and improve next year. Maybe the Knicks can capture that level of chemistry again with a new group of players but I will be surprised if that happens.

I've been around basketball all of my life and I would bet a lot of money I've seen far more basketball than you have. Developing team chemistry is an elusive process that's hard to find. You don't get it, do you. One cannot measure team chemistry solely by the win loss record.

I've seen so many physically talented teams over the years who went nowhere because they didn't have chemistry and failed to play together as a team.

The Knicks were getting better every week. They were growing more confident and slowly moving towards becoming a top tier NBA team. Would it happen this year? I doubt it, but throw in one more key player next year and I felt the Knicks would become one of the top teams in the East. Boston is aging and I think NY was going to replace them next season in the battle against Miami and Orlando.

So you don't think they can build chemistry with the team they have now? I'm not saying they are a title contender or even a threat to get to the eastern conference finals(because they aren't) but chemistry comes with playing together and they have the rest of the season to get that. The team they had before the Melo trade were pretty much all new to each other as well

LakeShow, that's an excllent question and my guess is probably not. As I mentioned above, developing solid team chemistry is an elusive process. The players NY had this year obviously enjoyed being with one another, they played as a team, and they were getting better every week. Last year when the Knicks lost, they weren't even in the game. This season was very different, they were in almost every game they lost.

Can the current team develop that kind of chemistry? I doubt it. You have two guys, Anthony and Amare who both need the ball and that bothers me. The one big hope going for them is the presence of Chauncey.

Ok, I've been trying to find this out but I keep coming back with mixed responses. Did in fact the Knicks get to keep Brewer when they sent Randolph and Curry to Minny. If so, I think this trade no matter what is pretty clearly on the Knick's side. Either way I think it's a no brainer to give up Chandler,Gallo,&Mozgov who are all above average role players for Melo, who is a near superstar,... much less getting to bring Chauncey who knows what it takes to get it done while splashin' threes. This Knicks team kinda reminds me of the the 08' Lakers that lost to Boston, but probably should have never really been there to begin with. They managed to want it more and have a near elite offensive attack because everyone played so well off of each other similar to how the Celtic's did. Just didn't have the defense or depth to finish up, similar to the results that I think would utimately happen to the Knicks.

On a side note, I was really hoping Felton had made it. Too bad he goes from 17,4,9 to backup over night.

I don't think Amare and Melo complement each other well. They both score in many of the same ways in the same places. I have some doubts they will ever be better than the Heat. Also, Carmelo is just a little overrated by some on this site. He scores a ton with average efficiency. He is a great offensive player, but he isn't on the level of LeBron, Wade, or Kobe. I would also rather have Durant than Carmelo because Durant can play off the ball better, and doesn't need the ball in his hands as much to score.

I don't think Amare and Melo complement each other well. They both score in many of the same ways in the same places. I have some doubts they will ever be better than the Heat. Also, Carmelo is just a little overrated by some on this site. He scores a ton with average efficiency. He is a great offensive player, but he isn't on the level of LeBron, Wade, or Kobe. I would also rather have Durant than Carmelo because Durant can play off the ball better, and doesn't need the ball in his hands as much to score.

They aren't the best fit but they are a much better twosome then 95 percent of the other NBA teams. Melo overrated? Really? i know some of y'all love the efficiency stuff but come on now. Kevin Martin is more efficient than Melo, would you say he's a better player than Melo? Kevin Love is top 5 and i like his game but does that mean he's a first team all NBA guy?

As far as him being average as far as efficiency, is K.G considered efficient or above average? Boozer,Eric Gordan,Billups? Melo is ranked ahead of all of those guys as far as efficiency. I rather have the "average" efficient Melo over the above average efficient Kevin Martin

Yeah, he fails to realize that Melo is quite the similar scorer Kobe is. They don't do it the most efficiently, but they consistently get it done when you need it. Melo has never had another star player beside of him, save for the one year Iverson was willing to play team ball. I trust that when things get thick, Melo will be there for me. Also, I don't think his D is really any worse than Paul Pierce's prior to the championship run. I also remember the 09' title run when LAL played Denver, and Melo showed he was quite the defender when motivated. It's clear these guys are starting to figure things out when Amare becomes an aboverage defender. Still not the rebounder he could be.

Lake Show said, "But this team they have now has a better chance of making the finals in the future then the team they had before the trade."

That's your opinion but that isn't how I see it. They lost their depth, team chemistry, and overall balance. In my opinion, this team isn't balanced, they won't have that team chemistry, and they don't have enough depth to go very far in the playoffs.

That's your opinion but that isn't how I see it. They lost their depth, team chemistry, and overall balance. In my opinion, this team isn't balanced, they won't have that team chemistry, and they don't have enough depth to go very far in the playoffs.

Noone said they were going past the 1st round this season. So....it doesn't matter. Next season, when they are more "connected" and the "chemistry" is reached, they might be a second round team.

it takes too long to draft and develope players if your in a big market. fans want wins and they want them fast. look at the last two champs la and boston. both traded for their main pieces. in la they traded for gasol, kobe and lamar. they signed artest. same with bos. they signed kg nd allen. but drafting is key to fill in the the missing pieces. nyk got the makor pieces from FA and trade now with the drft this year theyll get a big. small market teams can afford to develope players

Knicks won this hands down. In 15-20 years will we remember any of the guys in the trade other than Anthony? If you say yes, then the other guy would probably be Billups. The guy that got traded with him, known as a clutch shooter and captain of a championship winning team. Even though I'm not 100% sure how the trade is going to pan out, I would rather take my chances on Melo and Amare than Amare and what they gave up. You need superstars to win. I'm not saying you need to be Miami and get 3 stars and surround them by garbage, but you have to start somewhere and the Knicks landed one of the best scorers in the league who is only 26 and locked him up to an extension.

The dumb move would have been to let Mozgov of all people stop this trade from going through. I scratched my head when I heard that you're willing to trade most of your starting lineup, but not an unproven rookie center. I guess the center crop has gotten so bad that 7 footers that shoot 46% from the field are a hot comodity? What else did they give up? A slightly above average pg, a guy that has already had a major back surgery, another that has bad knees? Damaged goods for one of the best players in the league.

The draft choices too is suspect though. This was a good trade for Denver. Melo had weak success in the playoffs.Actually he has a horrible record in the playoffs. Throwing in the Picks makes this a very good deal for Denver I applaud their GM. Knicks wanted Melo and I don't blame them for what they did.Melo is great on O. I just like this trade for Denver. Get rid of a player not committed to the team,Defense,or being a leader. They are very deep at every position. If they slip into the playoffs they can take a team deeper than they really want to go in the first round.

The Knicks gave up team chemistry, balance, depth, four young players, and a future number one draft choice.

I didn't see Denver lighting up the league the last six years with Carmelo in their lineup. In my opinion, several years from now we may be looking back at this trade and wondering why the Knicks gave up so much for Anthony.

On the flip side, you and several others in this forum may be right and then I'll gladly eat my words.

And I hope nothing happens to the guy, but when you invest so much in one player, you have to consider the possibility of a serious injury and Anthony never again being the same player.

As for Billups, he's a class guy and a fantatic player, but he's reaching that age where NBA PGs can no longer keep up with the young, athletic players who've come into their own the past few years.

And no matter what happens with the Knicks over the next couple of years, I'm so happy that I no longer have to visit NBA websites and see any more Carmelo Anthony trade rumors.

The Knicks gave up team chemistry, balance, depth, four young players, and a future number one draft choice.

You do know this current teams has 25 games in the regular season to start building a chemisty, 4-7 games in the playoffs and all next season to grow right? If you honestly think chemisty is the end all, be all, this team can still develop it.

As for a future #1 pick, it's in 2014 and the Knicks have a 2011 and 2013 pick...so what's your point?

Raymond Felton is a FA after next season, Chandler this offseason. What if they leave? Is it such a good move for Denver? No.

And I hope nothing happens to the guy, but when you invest so much in one player, you have to consider the possibility of a serious injury and Anthony never again being the same player.

Knicksboy, are you a teenager who is new to the game of basketball? Team Chemistry isn't something you can order or build at will. The Knicks played 82 games last season and had no team chemistry. There are so many variables that going into the process that nobody can sit down and build, order, or develop chemistry.

However, history taught us that having too many guys on a team who hog or demand the basketball are not good for team chemistry. I have a feeling Amare and Anthony on the same team may turn out to be a negative.

The pre-trade version of the Knicks had confidence, balance, depth, and team chemistry. They were a squad heading in the right direction with a bright future. In my opinion, all of that was potentialy destroyed by the trade. Many in this forum disagree with me but that's why we have opinions.

As I mentioned, I hope nothing happens to the guy but injuries are part of professional sports. If you invest too much in one player and if he's injured, your team is finished.

Finally, I've been around a long time and I've seen number one draft choices that were given up in trades 2 or 3 years ago that everyone initially ignored, turn into selections that transform the team with that selection. Never underestimate the importance of giving up number one draft choices. You never know when it will come back to kick you in the butt big time.

Knicksboy, are you a teenager who is new to the game of basketball? Team Chemistry isn't something you can order or build at will. The Knicks played 82 games last season and had no team chemistry. There are so many variables that going into the process that nobody can sit down and build, order, or develop chemistry.

- The Knicks are going to build chemistry. You make it sound like they were a potential title team and adding Carmelo stopped that. No, the Knicks were a most likely 1st round out. To me, the Knicks will be a better team next season once everyone know how to play with each other. Amar'e and Carmelo should be able to grow next season and know their roles. Billups is older, but hasn't slowed his game down much, and he should be able to lead this team for another season, while grooming Toney Douglas. You make it sound like they will NEVER get it. Your forgetting Carmelo played opposite Iverson, Anthony knows what it's like having another good scorer next to him.

However, history taught us that having too many guys on a team who hog or demand the basketball are not good for team chemistry. I have a feeling Amare and Anthony on the same team may turn out to be a negative.

- On the other side, you need 2 or more scorers to win a title. It won't be a negative based on the first two games this season. Anthony and Stoudmire has scored almost close to each other and Billups have gotten them the ball in their sweet spots. But, it's your opinion, so I'm cool with it.

The pre-trade version of the Knicks had confidence, balance, depth, and team chemistry. They were a squad heading in the right direction with a bright future. In my opinion, all of that was potentialy destroyed by the trade. Many in this forum disagree with me but that's why we have opinions.

- No they weren't. They had no number two option. The Knicks had Stoudmire and pieces. I'm telling you as someone who watched every Knick game this season but two, the Knicks were a 41 win team at the best. It's your opinion, but I'm almost SURE your the only person thinking that.

As I mentioned, I hope nothing happens to the guy but injuries are part of professional sports. If you invest too much in one player and if he's injured, your team is finished.

- Not really because his contract is insured and it's for 3 seasons. We wouldn't be in too much a hole

Finally, I've been around a long time and I've seen number one draft choices that were given up in trades 2 or 3 years ago that everyone initially ignored, turn into selections that transform the team with that selection. Never underestimate the importance of giving up number one draft choices. You never know when it will come back to kick you in the butt big time.

- True, but the Knicks will have a 2011 and 2013 pick. Those picks, if hit should help NY. Also, what if Denver makes a bad pick? You never truly know.